I'm not one for self-help books, but I adore Scott, so I thought I'd give this one a try. His constant positive attitude in the face of so much adversity has always been admirable, and this book does give a good overview of how to have and maintain that attitude in your own life. However, at times I found it so repetitive, and I still personally feel that luck has a lot to do with winning and just changing your frame of mind is not going tp instantly make your life perfect (although it definitely will help!). Also, I was expecting it to be more autobiographical than it was, and as he jumps around referring to different times in his life, I felt anyone who is not already a Scott fan would find it quite confusing. Lastly, I was initially surprised by the long religious passages, but they weren't so many to be off-putting for a non-religious person such as myself.

Thomas Nelson and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Finish First: Winning Changes Everything. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

As a young ice skater, watching Scott Hamilton win gold, I was so inspired to work hard and try my best. There is no more perfect person to give advice about how to finish first, especially considering how much Scott Hamilton has endured in his life. As his faith is an integral part of Hamilton's personal philosophy, some readers may not be able to find common ground with the author for parts of the book.

Hamilton tells readers that untapped potential takes tenacity and talent to unlock, with sacrifices that may be necessary to achieve your goals. Adopted by his parents after his birth mother could not take care of him, Scott endured years of illness and the subsequent bullying that followed. His path to success was not an easy one, but his missteps along the way enabled him to find a way forward. My favorite paragraph in the book contains sage advice: "To finish first is to understand what you have to offer the world and then to be the best at offering that ... It means to break through your perceived limitations, to overcome the barriers that stand in your way, and to make the biggest impact in the world that you are capable of making." (p. 6)

Losing should be the fuel that propels you forward, Hamilton says. He also tells readers to know your purpose, to figure out what you are capable of doing. There will always be obstacles and difficulties, but how you respond to those setbacks will be what defines you. If you can forgive yourself for failing, this is when you will succeed. Finish First is a pep talk, as the author tries to convince readers that success in life will usually come when you struggle and persevere through the hard times. I would recommend this book to readers who are looking for advice on how to succeed and who do not mind the references to faith.

Scott Hamilton is such an inspiration....Loved this book...raw/real/and full of home. Five Stars.

"The irony is that if you believe nothing matters in life, you will have a life that doesn't matter." --Scott Hamilton


For years, I loved to watch Scott Hamilton ice skate. He seemed like such a nice, friendly guy with a huge infectious smile who had worked hard to perfect his routines. I couldn't help but admire him. When he found out that he had cancer, I couldn't believe it, and I hoped he would quickly beat it..

This book is more than just your average self-help book. In it, he talks about the battles he has faced, and how hard he worked to get to where he did. He encourages the reader to rise up and be the very best person they can be. If you've had failures in the past, that doesn't have to be where you settle; he encourages you to make a choice to overcome.

As much as I enjoyed Scott Hamilton as a skater, I learned something new about him the day I saw him on Dr. Oz. He is also a Christian, and his faith shines through him.

I recommend this book to everyone.

Well written and inspirational, Scott Hamilton truly finishes first on my list with his account of winning changing everything.

I have always been a fan of the skater, the little guy with the big heart, infectious smile and determination. He has always comes across as a winner regardless the marks on judges' score cards because of his never say die attitude.

I watched on tv his televised return to the ice after battling cancer and knew what a battle it must have been to keep his feet under him, but he put on a smile and pushed through what at the least must have been exhaustion, when others would have folded. (Reading about his return, his account, made me appreciate it that much more, and really drove home the point he was striving for.)

That determination coupled with the way he has ways come across as a genuinely nice person, one who appreciates others and having fun, has always made him an inspiration.

I enjoyed him just as much as a sportscaster. He never tore down the skaters, always finding a positive about each and their work.

This book affirms those qualities, gives incite into his attitude, successes and pursuit of success. It also gives such encouragement to others, those who are at what feels like their lowest as well as those at the top.

Finish First explains exactly how he did and continues to do just that: with a winning attitude, determination, a little --or maybe even a lot of-- failure, and continued hard work and willingness to grow, adjust, set and reach new goal, never letting fear of failure prevent you from trying, and most of all faith and trust in God and His plan.


He notes the value and importance of healthy competition, and pushing yourself to the limit and taking limits off when striving for personal goals. ... for those willing to dedicate themselves to the goal and put in the work required to get there, and not being afraid to put in the work, and keeping a positive attitude, to be a champion. But, reminds us not to focus so hard on the big picture that we fail to see the daily strides and cues, and shows that you can be a good person and s be competitive and a winner.

That voice so many have cone to recognize as Scott Hamilton's over the years come through in Finish First. It's like a friend sitting down with you to really discuss how to get there, or at least how he did it, and suggestions to help get you there too... if you're willing to pit away the try and do the work needed for success in whatever you are seeking, and realize there's if it doesn't happen the first or 101st time that there's a bigger plan, lessons to be learned and a reason.

There are relatable stories that show practical application of road for success.